How to send a lease violation notice in Illinois

In Illinois, a lease violation notice may be delivered by hand delivery, substituted service, certified mail with electronic return receipt; certified mail is permitted. The notice period is 10 days.

Last reviewed September 21, 2026 · Business research, not legal advice.

Requirement	Illinois lease violation notice
Delivery method	Hand delivery, substituted service, certified mail with electronic return receipt — Cortul also sends a First-Class copy.
Notice period	10 days (counted as the statute directs)
Deemed received	When the recipient signs for it
Notice must include	Notice of the default in the lease terms and that the tenant must quit within 10 days, served under 9-211 (735 ILCS 5/9-210)
If refused or unclaimed	keep the certified record.
Statutes	735 ILCS 5/9-210; 5/9-211

Step by step

Write the notice with every required element (the Illinois template in Cortul already has them).
Verify the recipient's mailing address with USPS.
Send it by a method the law allows, and keep a mailed copy.
Keep the mailing and tracking records, and your own record of any service you did yourself.
Calendar the deadline from the mailing date.